Bishop MacDaid urges all road users to be safe and recommends prayer for motorists

02. Aug, 2012

Bishop MacDaid urges all road users to be safe and recommends prayer for motorists

Ahead of this August bank holiday weekend in the Republic and Northern Ireland, Bishop Liam MacDaid, Bishop of Clogher, welcomes the measures announced today by Mr Leo Varadkar TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, and calls on all road users: motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, to take special care of themselves and their loved ones.

Bishop MacDaid said, “Up to 2 August the recorded 2012 road fatality figures stood at 109 for the Republic and 24 for the North. This loss of human life is heart breaking for the loved ones of the deceased and a tragedy for our society as a whole. Ahead of our August bank holiday weekend I am asking all road users to exercise particular vigilance in terms of safety and to be responsible on the roads over the next days.

“Care for one another in our community is a basic human value which travels across different faiths and cultures. This duty of care also applies to our road use and it is fundamental to the common good of all in society.”

Bishop MacDaid concluded, “As individuals we have an obligation to exercise a duty of care to other road users by improving our driver behaviour and, at a public policy level, this improved behaviour needs to be matched by effective strategic planning and greater resourcing.” Bishop MacDaid recommends the following dedicated prayer for motorists which may be recited before driving:

Prayer for motorists before driving:
Before I take my place behind the wheel
I pray, O Sacred Heart – Guide me on my way.
Virgin Mary, Morning Star, from every danger guide this car.
Thou dear Lord who gave it to enjoy,
Grant that its purpose be to save and not destroy.
Amen

Notes to Editors
• The Diocese of Clogher is a cross-border diocese. It includes the counties of Monaghan, Fermanagh and portions of Tyrone, Donegal, Louth and Cavan. The Diocese of Clogher has 86,047 Catholics, 73 priests, 37 parishes and 85 churches. The Cathedral of Saint Macartan is located in Monaghan town.
• Road fatality statistics provided by An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.